Bad day at work...

notfarnow · 07:15 AM

Was offered a promotion in a different department of the company this week, and was really excited about it. Approximately 25% raise, really great group of folks and an awesome boss.

**edited, TMI**

Superman · 05-11-2005, 04:20 PM

That's tragic on several levels. This is one of those times when you wish/hope for the absolute coolest, calmest professional demeanor combined with the perfect choice of exactly the best words and phrases. You have a meeting with her. You explain that what she's doing is torpedoing your career. Point to the 25% pay increase. Point to the opportunity to work with an A-Team (they exist in many organizations and their members are indeed envied). Point to the fact that these opportunities do not come often and her denial could set your career back many years. Make sure she understand that she is pulling tens and perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars of future earnings directly out of her pocket. She'll resist, and she'll probably miss all the relevant signals, and she'll not really know what's going on. But she's got to understand that what you're saying is that this is a direct, personal hit on you and your family, and probably worth a fight-to-the-death. make her remind herself that she's screwed up plenty lately (I'm sure she has), and is under scrutiny by upper management. Mention her staff retention rate, without insulting her.

And again, make her recognize all these facts in the context that this is a direct personal injury to you and your family, and that while it would be sweet to imagine that you will just go quietly back to your work station and put your shoulder back against the wheel......in reality you are more likely to press the issue to the point where mamagement asks themselves again the question they have probably asked before.....is she worth it? And even if she wins, she draws the ire of your co-workers and loses any loyalty you have have had toward her in the past.

It all would have to be done VERY VERY gently, but even stupid people can be made to grok simple concepts under the right circumstances.

notfarnow · 07:16 AM

Thanks Supe...

**edited... TMI**

asphaltgambler · 05-11-2005, 05:24 PM

Think as a business man. You are your own (entity) small business and therefor fully in charge of your furture. If you really want this position you need to take charge and succeed.

You must find a way 'round that train-wreck of a boss that's standing in your way. Do what ever is needed to make your business (you) move forward and prosper in spite of any obstacle.

If there is no other way short of having her killed-off, prepare for plan "B": New job.

jrdavid68 · 05-11-2005, 05:31 PM

Got any dirt on her? Ask the IT guys what they know about her Internet surfing habits..........

FrayAdjacent911 · 05-11-2005, 05:35 PM

Sounds like you're in a place that does not honor promises. I'd take it up with the HR department if it's a large enough company... or I'd try to find a job elsewhere.

notfarnow · 05-11-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FrayAdjacent911
Sounds like you're in a place that does not honor promises. I'd take it up with the HR department if it's a large enough company... or I'd try to find a job elsewhere.

I'm taking it up with HR tomorrow... I know the HR rep for this department quite well, so at the very least I know I can talk to her openly and ask for advice.

I honestly think my best bet might be to wait this out... I do enjoy my job, so it's not like I feel totally stuck. In our conversation this afternoon, my boss said I'd be "releasable" in the Fall, as long as they were able to fill my position. I think my best bet will be to start "grooming" someone to take over my position, all the while maintaining contacts in the two departments in which I've been offered promotions. I work for a large company, so there will be other opportunities.

mattxbart · 05-11-2005, 06:18 PM

I can't believe a manager would block your career like that! There's gotta be a way to get around her. Maybe the A Team boss can go above her or have a talk with her directly. If she has the reputation of choking people's careers you should be able to solicit some help from HR or the other boss. I'm not sure how managers deal with the turf battles behind the scenes but you would think something could be done.

notfarnow · 05-11-2005, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jrdavid68
Got any dirt on her? Ask the IT guys what they know about her Internet surfing habits..........

LOL... I'm afraid she'll look into mine!

"What's pelican parts?"

Saintly · 05-11-2005, 06:42 PM

Must be an American thing but I have difficulty understanding how a manager can stop you from getting another job. How is it that you will 'be "releasable" in the Fall' ?? are you indentured to her department for some reason? did they pay for your car and now you have to work it off? Just seems odd to me.

notfarnow · 05-11-2005, 06:51 PM

Well the rule of thumb at our company is that you stay in any given position for at least 2 years before moving on. However, it is not a rule that is regularly followed within the company, or even our department. It's a rule that is applied more to "lateral" moves, but rarely to promotions.

CamB · CamB's Garage

Who ranks higher? The promotion boss or your current boss?

notfarnow · 07:17 AM

**edited... TMI***

mikester · 05-11-2005, 08:34 PM

Dude; Don't lie down - you won't easily get back up again. Go to HR as you've planned - go over her head. I believe firmly in the chain of command with regards to bosses because it is a matter or respect but it still isn't the military (unless it is) so going over someone's head in an instance of the irrational is completely okay.

Jims5543 · 05-12-2005, 05:22 AM

Define releasable.

Did you sign a no compete or contract of employment?

Personally I would begin shopping another job. Any other companies around with a great reputation of taking good care of their own?

I dealt with this on a much smaller scale. I had an employment contract in place that forced me to give a 4 week notice and I could not work in the same county after I left.

I went 3 counties away and increased my salary two fold. Yes I doubled my pay. I never looked back and opened my own business 3 year later and now make 3X the money I made at the last job.

You need leverage. If you are passed over for this promotion due to your incompetent managers actions. Move on.

osidak · 05-12-2005, 05:24 AM

Happened to me about a 1.5 years ago. Promotion got blocked out of spite (we did not see eye to eye) I didn't fight it too hard as I was still getting out of her department and back to where I wanted to be but just with out the promotion.

With a wife staying home and a 6 month old I chose to be a little more conservative.

Was speaking to a guy I know that works for her and she has done the same thing to him.

Jims5543 · 05-12-2005, 05:38 AM

I started to type this whole women in the work place rant and chose not to post it.

After reading over and over women screwing with you guys I have to wonder WTF is up?

I had similar problems. I have ZERO problems with a women giving orders work is work. What I have problems with is the irrational decision making. I have seen this from a HR standpoint to a professional ethics standpoint.

I can tell dozens of stories about 2 women managers I had over the years. I am not saying this does not happen happen with men. I had a manager in Orlando that was a total a-hole. One of the few times in my life when I wanted to physically hurt someone.

The last woman manager I had is the reason I chose to go out and start my own business. I was sick of the crap. Funny part? Word got back to me that she predicted I would go out of business within a year.... That was 8 years ago. Tool.

Superman · 05-12-2005, 05:54 AM

I would have a temptation to flail about a bit. That is, talk to HR. Talk to competitors. Call associates and ask about current and upcoming opportunities. Talk to promotion boss. Talk to your current supervisor's supervisor. Folks like this woman are usually being watched anyway, and management has to be already aware of her shortcomings. This kind of thing flies directly in the face of the best interests of the company. Talented people should not be crapped-on. Poor managers should not have much freedom, and I'd guess this woman's decisions are reviewed, or could/should be reviewed. Without deliberately trying, the asking of all these questions will likely teach her a lesson. That she'll ignore, then forget. And when it's all over, if you're still with the company, your stock will be very high for several reasons.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Jims5543
I started to type this whole women in the work place rant and chose not to post it.

Regarding female managers, yes, there's definitely some sort of pre-disposition to being an outright b!tch. You will hear this from women who work for them as well.

In environments where I've worked with women managers, the only guys who seem to do well - and I by 'well' I mean not constantly getting their asses chewed - are those who are meek, passive and don't show a shred of initiative.

Superman · 05-12-2005, 06:17 AM

I would have a temptation to flail about a bit. That is, talk to HR. Talk to competitors. Call associates and ask about current and upcoming opportunities. Talk to promotion boss. Talk to your current supervisor's supervisor. Folks like this woman are usually being watched anyway, and management has to be already aware of her shortcomings. This kind of thing flies directly in the face of the best interests of the company. Talented people should not be crapped-on. Poor managers should not have much freedom, and I'd guess this woman's decisions are reviewed, or could/should be reviewed. Without deliberately trying, the asking of all these questions will likely teach her a lesson. That she'll ignore, then forget. And when it's all over, if you're still with the company, your stock will be very high for several reasons.